posted 08-14-2012 03:11 PM                  

Maybe there's some relief from ethanol. Sent to me from another website.

Obama said Friday it has made no decision on whether to waive ethanol requirements for use by the nation's 250 million vehicles in the wake of a severe drought that's cutting corn yields.

On Friday, a United Nations official urged the Obama administration to suspend ethanol requirements under the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard as fears of food shortages grow.

The law assures big demand for corn. It is popular in corn-growing states, making it politically difficult to waive the requirements.

The standard is opposed by many groups, including livestock producers who say the diversion of corn to ethanol raises feed prices — and food prices. More than 180 members of Congress have called on the administration to waive the requirements.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said, "The EPA has made clear that they're working closely with the Department of Agriculture to keep an eye on yields, and they will evaluate all the relevant information when assessing that situation."

EPA spokeswoman Alisha Johnson said the agency is watching the issue: "We are in close contact with USDA as they and we keep an eye on crop yield estimates, and we will review any data or information submitted by stakeholders, industry and states relating to the RFS program."

Carney said the administration was taking the drought seriously.

"The president is committed to ensuring that his administration is taking every step possible to help farmers and ranchers who have been affected by this disaster," Carney said. "The administration has already taken several steps from opening up lands for haying and grazing, to providing emergency loans, to helping get more truck drivers on the roads delivering much-needed supplies."

José Graziano da Silva, the director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, said in a Financial Times op-ed that the mandates will hurt food production.

"Much of the reduced crop will be claimed by biofuel production in line with U.S. federal mandates, leaving even less for food and feed markets," he wrote. "An immediate, temporary suspension of that mandate would give some respite to the market and allow more of the crop to be channeled towards food and feed uses." About 45 percent of U.S. corn will be used for biofuels, he wrote.

On Friday, the USDA reduced its estimate of corn production to its lowest level in 17 years — 17 percent less than its last forecast, and 13 percent less than last year.

The United States grows about 40 percent of the world's corn. Prices on Friday remained above $8 a bushel, but could top $10, some analysts forecast.

Corn prices have jumped by more than 400 percent over the last seven years as the U.S. has dramatically boosted the amount of corn-based ethanol.

Under a 2007 energy law, the U.S. is dramatically increasing the use of ethanol in vehicle fuel — to 15.2 billion gallons this year, up from 5 billion gallons in 2007. By 2022, the U.S. must use 36 billion gallons of biofuel, though 21 billion gallons are supposed to be from advanced cellulosic ethanol.

In order to use all of the ethanol required, the EPA has approved the use of a higher blend of ethanol fuel called E15 — which is 15 percent ethanol — up from E10, which is used at most pumps today.

The higher blend of fuel is only approved for vehicles from 2001 and newer, because automakers say engines can be corroded by the higher fuel. They have fought the fuel, arguing it could also hurt newer vehicles.

posted 08-15-2012 06:16 AM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by DON WIEBER:
in mn there is one plant shut down already. the price of corn will make it too high to produce. when we stop making it then we will have to import it. someone else is going to be making the money.

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posted 08-15-2012 07:46 AM                  

Water is so plentiful here that in one year the Detroit Water System looses enough purified water to fill a river 10 foot deep, 100 foot wide and reaching from Detroit to the middle of Oklahoma. Most of those bottles of water you sell for sale are pumped from wells in two areas very near our other home. Lawsuits limit the company's ability to only pump 1,000,000 gallons of water per day for bottling.

posted 08-20-2012 01:41 PM                  

The U.S. Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit which challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for 2001 and newer model year cars and light trucks. Over a year ago, the EPA raised the amount of ethanol permitted in gasoline from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15). The agency has approved applications to sell the fuel and it may soon appear at a gas station near you. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. In light of the court’s decision, the SAN is now seeking passage of congressional legislation (H.R. 3199) that would prevent the EPA from permitting E15 sales until the National Academies has conducted a study on how E15 may impact gas-powered vehicles. The bill has been approved by the U.S. House Science Committee and is pending on the House floor. With little time to address the bill before the fall elections, it is important that lawmakers hear from you on this important issue.
We Urge You to Contact Your Members of Congress to Request Their Support for H.R. 3199

The EPA permits ethanol in gasoline to be increased from 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15). Ethanol increases water formation that can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. Older cars and certain high performance specialty parts are not constructed with corrosion-resistant materials or able to tolerate the higher temperatures at which E15 may burn.

The EPA has acknowledged the dangers and made it “illegal” to put E15 in pre-2001 vehicles. However, the EPA is willing to risk destruction of the vehicle/parts by relying solely on a gas pump label cautioning motorists not to misfuel their older vehicles. The EPA estimates that there are 74 million such vehicles in harm’s way, along with millions more boats, lawnmowers and other gas-powered engine products.

Many auto enthusiasts have complained for years about damage caused by E10, which is now in over 90% of gas sold in the U.S. For example, corrosion has time to damage the engine, fuel line, fuel tank and exhaust systems when classic cars are infrequently driven. E15 increases the risk of corrosion by 50 percent.

The EPA permitted the sale of E15 before there was conclusive information with respect to materials compatibility, tailpipe emissions and fuel efficiency.

H.R. 3199 would stop the sale of E15 until the National Academies has conducted a study on how gasoline blended with 15 to 20% ethanol may impact gas-powered vehicles.

DON’T DELAY! Contact your members of Congress immediately by phone or e-mail to request their support of HR 3199. To identify your federal Representative and Senators in the U.S. Congress, click here: http://semasan.com/lookup.asp?g=semaga

posted 08-21-2012 03:32 AM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by heynow14:
Since Earth contains 326 million cubic miles of water, I can't think of any adverse enviromental concerns.

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posted 08-21-2012 05:00 AM                  

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posted 08-21-2012 03:57 PM                  

Put the Brakes on Harmful E15 Gasoline!

Dear Fellow Enthusiast,

Once again, Summit Racing Equipment is reaching out to automotive enthusiasts to raise awareness about an issue that could directly affect your hobby.

Recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit which challenged the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority to permit 15% ethanol (E15 content in gasoline for 2001 and newer model year cars and light trucks). Along with SEMA and its member companies, we oppose the use of E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion on incompatible parts—specifically aftermarket parts designed for performance vehicles like yours.

To protect your hobby, SEMA is seeking the passage of congressional legislation (H.R. 3199), which would prevent the EPA from permitting E15 sales until the National Academies has conducted a study on how E15 may impact gas-powered vehicles. With little time to address the bill before the fall elections, it's important that lawmakers hear from you. Without your help, E15 fuel may soon appear at a gas station near you!

We Urge You to Contact Your Members of Congress to Request Their Support for H.R. 3199…

Here are a Few Talking Points:

Ethanol increases water formation that can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics, and rubber. Older cars and certain high performance specialty parts are not constructed with corrosion-resistant materials or able to tolerate the higher temperatures at which E15 may burn.

The EPA has acknowledged the dangers and made it "illegal" to put E15 in pre-2001 vehicles. However, the EPA is willing to risk destruction of the vehicle/parts by relying solely on a gas pump label cautioning motorists not to misfuel their older vehicles. The EPA estimates that there are 74 million such vehicles in harm's way.

Many auto enthusiasts have complained for years about damage caused by E10, which is now in over 90% of gas sold in the U.S. For example, corrosion has time to damage the engine, fuel line, fuel tank, and exhaust systems when classic cars are infrequently driven. E15 increases the risk of corrosion by 50%.

The EPA permitted the sale of E15 before there was conclusive information with respect to materials compatibility, tailpipe emissions and fuel efficiency.

H.R. 3199 would stop the sale of E15 until the National Academies has conducted a study on how gasoline blended with 15-20% ethanol may impact gas-powered vehicles.

Contact your members of Congress immediately by phone or e-mail to
request their support of HR 3199.

To identify your federal Representative and Senators in the U.S. Congress, click here.

Please e-mail a copy of your e-mail to Stuart Gosswein stuartg@sema.org.

posted 08-21-2012 04:39 PM                  

Dear Representative.......,
Please support HR 3199 which would stop the sale of E15 until the National Academies has conducted a study on how gasoline blended with 15 to 20% ethanol may impact gas-powered vehicles.

I received this reply from Mr.Gosswein:

Great. Thanks, Brad!

Best regards.

Stuart Gosswein
Sr. Director, Federal Government Affairs
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20004
202/783-6007, ext. 30
202/783-6024 – fax
stuartg@sema.org

I have not yet received a reply from my Congressman.

posted 08-22-2012 08:13 AM                  

I'm not disagreeing regarding the valid foreign oil issue. But why aren't clean European turbo diesels allowed over here? What about a CNG fueling infrastructure? Oh, let's not talk about the Keystone pipeline.

Wonder why small engine repair shops are popping up in every small town like automatic transmission shops in the '50's?

Our Prowlers are at least ten years old. Most aren't driven many miles each year. They were engineered in the mid-'90's and certified for a maximum of 5% ethanol. We're talking about a 100% increase in ethanol content with E10 and 300% of the certified safe design level for our cars with E15.

I also believe that the average motorist doesn't understand, think about or care what's in their gas as long as it's cheap. At least until it quits running and then they'll blame the manufacturer for building a bad car.

Yes, you can design a vehicle to run on high levels of ethanol. You only have to look at NASCAR. They moved from race gas to E85 without missing a beat. But how much tuning, development and equipment changes did they have to make? And yes, flex fuel rated cars are just fine with any mixture of ethanol up to E85. But that's how they were designed and built. Don't ask how much more that cost the manufacturer.

posted 08-22-2012 04:09 PM                  

The hoses are color coded but there are no instructions posted to clarify which color is for which product.

My guess is if they actually labeled them, they would need to repeat it in half a dozen languages so everyone could read it and we can't have that now can we.

Even if there was a label to explain which color is for what, it would not do much for those of us that are color blind. Sometimes I need to be very careful when choosing which nozzle to pick up.

posted 08-22-2012 06:04 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by heynow14:
What happened to personal resposibility? Don't by gas with E-15 in it if you have a classic car. But if you don't want your money going to middle eastern countries, feel free to use it in your newer car or cars that use E10 - E85.

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My boat will thank me, my cycle will thank me. If the gov. says do it you know someone is making a profit off of you.